Last week we took some newcomers to an event that they had never experienced in their part of the world. They thanked us with gracious words that deeply touched my heart. It made me desire to know them better and even do even more for them. Is this how God feels when we thank Him?
The Bible is filled with expressions of thankfulness and its importance. This is likely the source of the quote that I’ve often repeated: “All the problems in the world would be solved if everyone was thankful.”
As my daughter responded, “Instead of greedy” yet there is even more. Thankfulness suggests that someone is being appreciated. We thank servers for bringing our meals, drivers for delivering us safely, friends for inviting us to their home, and a host of other blessings on our lives. Being thankful draws us closer to other people.
What about God? Reading Romans 1:18ff carefully shows that unthankful people are on a slippery slope downward into sin and that “God gives them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.” Lack of gratitude is serious stuff.
Instead of going that route, thankfulness should also acknowledge the source of all goodness.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:16–18)
All that is good comes from the Lord. He loves me and wants me living as His image-bearer. I am certain that God does not grumble and complain like I do. Not only that, when I am thanked, I know that I have done something good and whatever it was, God's Spirit was involved. It is really God who should be thanked, not me.
He urges a thankful attitude because when I am grateful, I am honoring Him and am communicating to Him appreciation for who He is and what He does. He deserves thanksgiving.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)
Jesus thanked His Father, and I am to be like Jesus. He was thankful at meals, thankful for answered prayer, and thankful for the way God worked to draw people to Himself:
He took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. (Matthew 15:36)
. . . . Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me…” (John 11:41)
. . . . Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children…” (Matthew 11:25)
While I am thrilled to be thanked for doing what God put on our hearts to do, those that thanked us are people who are always thanking God too. This is one of the reasons that we love to spend time with them. Imagine if everyone was like that! It would put an end to antagonism and strife. No more wars, only glad hearts.
PRAY: How can I say thanks for all that You have done for me? Things so undeserved — to prove Your love for me. The words to a song, and my own words from a heart filled with gratitude — rather than complaining, wanting more, never satisfied, bring joy. You are an awesome God. You hear me, provide good things for me and for those who trust You. You open our hearts to know truth and see what is hidden from those who are not grateful. Work in their hearts too. May the people of this messy world become totally genuinely thankful for You and for all that You do.
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